Almost 3,000 holidaymakers hoping for a half-term break in Spain have had their flights cancelled and hundreds of others are now stranded abroad. After the Thomas Cook collapse Flylolo came to the rescue of thousands of families who re-booked their flights though the ‘paper airline’. However, Flylolo, who only sell flights with other carriers, announced on Thursday that there were no planes available to honour the flights.
Flylolo planned to charter other airlines to fly passengers to and from the popular holiday destination during peak season. Unfortunately, the aircraft withdrew their agreement and Flylolo’s founder, Paul Dendle, has been unable to secure an alternative. Speaking to The Independent, Mr Dendle stressed that he had been “working 18-hours a day to find an alternative airline, but the costs were too high”.
Holidaymakers stranded abroad have no choice but to try and find alternative flights home but, due to the time of year, seats are limited. Those due to travel are being reassured that Flylolo is ATOL protected and therefore they will be able to claim their money back. However, holidaymakers risk losing money if they are unable to cancel their accommodation for a full refund at short notice.
Flylolo have said all customers will be reimbursed within two-weeks, by which time the holidays are likely to have been and gone.
Holidaymakers who have brought travel insurance should check their policy wording’s cancellation clause. In this situation, those who have brought a travel insurance policy with cancellation for any cause may be covered to cancel the holiday. Any affected, with this cover, should speak to their travel insurance company directly.
Although a company selling tickets for flights on planes they don’t own isn’t uncommon, Flylolo is one of the very few companies to come under fire for not being able to charter the flights it’s promised. easyJet began its journey using this method and is now one of the largest budget airlines.
